Does anything actually work?

[Exoticlean]

I've tried everything on different headlights. I've duplicated what I've seen in videos and nothing and I mean nothing has worked. I've tried multiple restoration kits - Don't work. I've tried the 3M product on a cloth up against a hand sander, didn't work. Ive used 400 then 600 then 2000 grit sand paper and wet sanded, the cleaned with alcohol then sprayed clear coat back over the top and then polished that-- didn't work.

So far the only and I mean ONLY thing that fixes hazed headlights is going on RockAuto.com and ordering new ones.

So.... what actually works? Or is that a unicorn?

[drumdan]

Re: Does anything actually work?

I've had two cars where the fogginess was on the INSIDE of the light!

Drove me nuts trying to chase that tail...

[jfelbab]

Re: Does anything actually work?

Most products work if you use the proper technique. Technique is something learned and not always intuitively obvious.

“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.”
–– W. C . Fields

[tomsteve]

Re: Does anything actually work?

going from 600 to 2000 grit is a huge jump. might want to put 1000 then 1500 in there. want to make sure youre refining the scratches from the previous grit? get some cheap flat balck paint and spray a guide coat on the lenses. works great.

a hand sander isnt aggressive enough to do much other than move product around. plus, a cloth doesnt have any cutting power.

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Does anything actually work?

I've tried everything on different headlights. I've duplicated what I've seen in videos and nothing and I mean nothing has worked. I've tried multiple restoration kits - Don't work. I've tried the 3M product on a cloth up against a hand sander, didn't work. Ive used 400 then 600 then 2000 grit sand paper and wet sanded, the cleaned with alcohol then sprayed clear coat back over the top and then polished that-- didn't work.

So far the only and I mean ONLY thing that fixes hazed headlights is going on RockAuto.com and ordering new ones.

So.... what actually works? Or is that a unicorn?

It's your technique bruh. Watch more videos on the subject

[Nick Winn]

Re: Does anything actually work?

Would suggest scanning through these links:

Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Products

Using Meguiar's G2970 Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit

Using Meguiar's G2980 Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit w/ new wipe on coating

We have also restored many headlights at our Thursday Night Open Garages:

https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?118-Pictures-from-Meguiar-s-Training-Garage-Thursday-Night-Open-Garage-Classes-(TNOG)

With that said, if you are providing Headlight Restoration as a professional service, I would suggest looking into 3M (our parent companies), Abrasive Disc options:

3M Festool Total Automotive Sanding System

Currently the only sanding disc left under the Meguiar's name is our S6F3000, which is the 6" 3000 grit Foam Finishing Disc. We no longer have any 3 inch sanding discs, so we are now referring users to 3M papers, which can be viewed in that above link. I am currently waiting on a shipment of 3M papers for our offices here, we received a bunch of Festool pneumatic tools and rotarys, just waiting on the 3M papers to come in to start testing. I am especially interested in how they work for headlights, but I am sure they are going to work great.

[GaryODS]

Re: Does anything actually work?

I've had the same experience a few years ago and ended up buying a couple of Amazon replacements. Now they have gotten foggy too. This time I just used what I had on hand which is Turtle Wax rubbing compound heavy cleaner first which I worked by hand, it did a pretty good job. Followed that with Meg Ultimate Compound to polish it up. It looked good, so I gave it 2 coats of Meguiar's Clear Headlight Coating. They look clear, I won't say like new but close enough - I'm happy with the outcome.

When I started the lens were quite hazy but I didn't notice any yellowing.

I hope the headlight coating lasts through the winter.

[Murr1525]

Re: Does anything actually work?

When I have headlights start going (or at least the coating start going), I have just gone over them with Ult Compound / #105 by hand once or twice a year, then put a wax/coating on them. Wax like usual in between... Little annoying, but catching it early seems to just need minor touch ups then.

[rlmccarty2000]

Re: Does anything actually work?

I dry sand with 400, 800, 1500, then wet sand with a 3M 3000 disk and then compound and polish. For protection I’ve been using Meguires Headlight Coating spray. Advertised durability is 1 year. I just did a pair 2 months ago and they look excellent.

[boostedsil40]

Re: Does anything actually work?

you didnt have good results with helmsman spar?Everytime I use it they look brand new but they dont last years.if your not having any luck making lights look good then practice with helmsman spar ,Ive done probably 20 headlights with it now.Just dont get the waterbase one and mix 50/50 with mineral spirits ONLY NOT PAINT THINNER!,use blue shop towels to prevent lint dropping off and fold the towel over till its about 2in wide,dip it in the spar for about 7 seconds then before applying it let stand for 30 seconds this will have the towel absorb some of the spar and make it not too wet. If for any reason you mess up use the mineral spirits on a new rag and wipe the spar off and try again you have about 10min window (depending on temps) before it starts to dry